Amber Heard says it was ‘incredibly painful’ to relive Johnny Depp ordeal in powerful speech
An emotional Amber Heard said it was “incredibly painful” to relive the “traumatic” details of her split with Johnny Depp in court.
An emotional Amber Heard said it was “incredibly painful” to relive the “traumatic” details of her split with Johnny Depp at the end of an explosive three-week trial in London.
The Aquaman star, 34, read a statement outside the High Court where she accused Depp, 57, of attacking her 14 times over three years, The Sun reports.
Becoming emotional as she held her hand to her heart, Heard said she just “wanted to move on with my life”.
Flanked by her supporters, including her sister Whitney, Heard said: “It has been incredibly painful to relive the break-up of my relationship, have my motives and my truth questioned, and the most traumatic and intimate details of my life with Johnny shared in court and broadcast around the world.
“I stand by my testimony and I now place my faith in British justice.”
The actress also thanked her legal team, police and the “outpouring” of support from around the world.
She said: “I appreciate the dedication, the hard work and support of the defence legal team, as well as my UK and US lawyers.
“I also wish to extend my thanks to the very diligent and kind court staff and the police, who have been so sensitive in ensuring my safety and protection so that I could testify in safety.
“And finally, my heartfelt thanks for the tremendous outpouring of support and the many messages I have received from around the world. You have given me so much strength and I send it back to you.”
The statement came at the end of an explosive three weeks in court where a string of sensational claims were made about the pair’s tumultuous marriage.
The case, in which Depp is suing News Group Newspapers* over a 2018 article which labelled him a “wife beater”, has seen the exhaustive questioning of witnesses including Depp, who spent about 20 hours giving evidence.
Mr Justice Nicol will give his ruling at a later date.
As Depp left court today, he hugged his lawyer David Sherborne. It comes after Depp earlier gave out handwritten notes thanking fans for supporting him during the high-profile case.
The brown envelopes contained a black and white bandana similar to the one he has been sporting during the case.
A signed, handwritten note from the star was also included in the package, reading: “My sincere thanks for all.”
Legions of Depp fans dressed as characters from his films and supported the Pirates Of The Caribbean star in court over the past three weeks as he gave evidence.
A group of around 25 fans invaded the central court this morning clutching flowers and gifts as others waited outside hoping to catch a glimpse of the star.
Mr Sherborne today branded Heard a “compulsive liar” and the “abuser” in the couple’s turbulent marriage.
He said: “From the big points to the small points, Ms Heard has proved herself to be a wholly unreliable witness, and, frankly, a compulsive liar, and I don’t say that lightly.”
Yesterday, Sasha Wass QC, representing News Group Newspapers, brought her case to a close as she branded Depp a “hopeless addict who repeatedly lost control”.
She also told the court Depp had “irrational mood swings and abnormal behavioural patterns” which he had named “The Monster”.
And she told how Depp had shown “terrifying behaviour” that made Heard “fear for her life” on multiple occasions.
Depp, 57, is suing The Sun for referring to him as a “wife beater” in a 2018 article. The Sun, supported by Heard, has said the term was justified.
Depp has denied he ever subjected Heard to any physical abuse.
The High Court has heard shocking details of the couple’s relationship and its breakdown with claims Depp even allegedly attacked his then wife on their honeymoon.
The actor is alleged to have also lashed out at Heard after arriving at her 30th birthday celebrations late after finding out he lost $908 million ($US650 million) which he claimed was taken by former business managers.
It was then claimed excrement was found in the couple’s marital bed – with Heard denying Depp’s allegations she had left the deposit.
Photographs of a number of apartments ripped apart after alleged bust-ups were also shown to the court as part of the lengthy trial.
A picture of a mirror smeared with blood and the message ‘I love you’ – allegedly written by Depp after his finger was severed during a row in Australia – was shown.
Shattered glass was also photographed at the couple’s LA penthouse after Depp’s alleged “final act of violence” before they split.
High profile names were also dragged intro the trial as claims that Depp was paranoid his then wife was having an affair with SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk and actor James Franco.
Depp’s former partners Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis did not give evidence but did submit witness statements that the star had never been violent towards them.
Heard and Depp married in LA in 2015 after meeting on the set of The Rum Diary.
But they divorced two years later after Heard, who donated her $9.9 million settlement to charity, accused Depp of abuse.
*News Group Newspapers is publisher of The Sun and news.com.au
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission
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